League is done and dusted but Merseyside will still have a story to tell
“Everton football club, our manager David Moyes over there, we salute you. And you ever want to come and have a service for them (the 96) over at our place with some blues. The doors always open for you. God Bless you.”
These words by Bill Kenwright, Chairman Everton FC, would have forced many to shed tears on April 15 during the Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield, but emotions will take a back seat when the local rivals from Merseyside lock horns for one last time this season.
Liverpool
Backed by a powerful performance against Newcastle United last week, Brendan Rogers and his men will look forward to carry the good form and end the season on a high. With nothing other than pride at stake for Liverpool, the team will be expected to get the better of their local rivals on their home turf.
Luis Suarez’ unavailability due to his 10 match ban could be the difference between the two sides as he has been instrumental in all the four matches played between the two sides since his arrival in 2011.
Rogers is expected to field the same playing XI that took the field against the Magpies in the previous league game.
With most of the players finding the net at the St. James Park and Reina looking strong in front of goal, Liverpool will be expected to put on a good show against Everton on Sunday.
Probable starting XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Downing, Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho, Sturridge
Everton
If at one end Liverpool has nothing to lose from this tie, Everton, on the other, hand will have everything to play for when they take to the ground against Liverpool on Sunday.
David Moyes will want his team to earn all the three points available from the game and bridge the gap on Tottenham Hotspur for the 5th spot on the league table which would ensure European football for the Evertonians next season.
The Everton camp would be looking up to Marouane Fellaini, their top goal scorer of the season, who is likely to get his second start since his comeback from an injury to provide some impetus to the game, as they know that three points Anfield won’t be an easy task.
The Toffees are expected to come out blazing as Moyes is not expected to make many changes to his starting XI that won against Fulham at home on April 27.
Probable starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Anichebe, Jelavic
This Sunday will also mark the last Merseyside derby for the scouse legend Jammie Carragher- whether the end shall be happy or not, only time can tell.